Certification process

You can begin your certification process and receive a service quote by contacting us. We will share information and guide you on the scope of certification that best fits your needs and company set-up. The certification process follows these five steps:  

Step 1: Application process
Once we receive your request, our team will contact you and send the initial information kit and application form for you to complete. Based on the information you share, we will provide you with a cost proposal to start your certification process.  

Step 2: Prepare for certification
After accepting the proposal and signing the Service Agreement, your company need to prepare for the audit based on the requirements of the applicable Sustainable Tourism Standard, both documentary and operationally. 

Step 3: On-site audit
On the agreed dates, we will conduct either fully on-site or via a partially remote assessment. This is done through document reviews, field inspection of facilities and services, staff and other stakeholder interviews. The average duration of the assessment audit is 3 days, depending on the size and characteristics of the operation. 

Step 4: Draft report
Once the field audit process is closed, the audit team will prepare the preliminary audit report and after an internal review, it will be sent for your review. 

Step 5: Certification
If the audit outcome is positive, a certification decision will be made and the certificate will be issued. The Preferred by Nature Sustainable Travel certificate is valid for three years. Within this certification cycle, you will need to undergo annual audits to verify your continued compliance with the requirements. This will be scheduled within 60 days before the anniversary date of the certificate.

To renew the certificate and start a new certification cycle, the company must undergo a re-evaluation audit at the end of the 3-year term.

During each annual audit, the organisation's Sustainability Management System and practices will be evaluated to ensure they maintain compliance with the four principles of this standard: 

1. Management and business practices are responsible.
2. People's well-being and human rights are respected.
3. Nature and the environment are protected.
4. Climate impacts are reduced and mitigated.

Reassessment audits to renew the certification will evaluate all standard requirements in full.

Complaints and resolutions

If a complaint is raised about our certification services or one of our clients, we handle this in accordance with our Dispute Resolution Policy. We may call on our Impartiality Committee if Preferred by Nature’s impartiality is under question.

Certification options for the sustainable travel sector

Preferred by Nature certification services are available for a wide range of travel and tourism businesses operating across different destinations, operational scales, and business models.

Accommodation Services

Certification is available for accommodation providers worldwide, including:

• Hotels and resorts  
• Boutique hotels  
• Eco-lodges and jungle lodges  
• Urban accommodations  
• All-inclusive resorts  
• Heritage and culturally significant properties  

The certification evaluates management systems, environmental and social performance, climate-related practices, operational impacts, supply chain management, and engagement with local communities and stakeholders.

Tour Operators and Destination Management Companies

Certification services are also available for:

• Inbound tour operators  
• Destination management companies (DMCs)  
• Multi-destination operators  
• Specialised travel companies  
• Nature-based and cultural tourism operators  

The certification process evaluates operational management, supplier management systems, sustainability integration into itineraries and experiences, stakeholder engagement, environmental impacts, and responsible tourism practices across destinations and value chains.

Multi-site Certification

Preferred by Nature also offers certification approaches adapted for:

• Hotel groups and chains  
• Multi-site operations  
• Networks of tourism businesses  

These approaches are designed to improve consistency, scalability, and efficiency while maintaining independent evaluation and verification processes.

A practical and operational approach

The Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities includes:

• Audit-ready and impact-oriented indicators  
• Operational sustainability requirements  
• Climate-related criteria and performance monitoring  
• Continuous improvement approaches  
• Independent annual surveillance audits  

The system is designed to support measurable implementation and credible sustainability assurance across different tourism contexts and operational realities. 

Sustainable Travel Standards 

The Preferred by Nature Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities is now GSTC-Recognised standard by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC). 

This status represents that the standard is equivalent to the GSTC Industry Criteria and remains current on issues that are critical for advancing the global sustainability agenda within the travel sector. Moreover, the standard has been updated and redesigned to align with the Preferred by Nature Sustainability Framework, which helps organisations achieve sustainability goals.

The Standard now includes a series of core requirements that encourage sustainable management and practices that positively impact people, nature and climate.

With the implementation of the new Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities, we seek to achieve the following objectives:

1. Encourage tourism organisations to make sustainability a core part of their business philosophy, management system and commercial strategies, so they can improve their position and reputation in responsible travel markets.

2. Protect the social well-being, development and human rights of people and communities involved in tourism activities by ensuring fair, equal, and legal labour and commercial practices are implemented, as well as relations that enhance and strengthen economic activities and livelihoods.

3. Ensure that tourism activities are carried out with respect and appreciation of all cultural expressions while emphasising the importance of preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

4. Preserve the environment and ecosystems in tourist destinations by implementing management systems and practices that protect their integrity and biodiversity, promote the rational use of natural resources, and mitigate negative impacts.

5. Recognise certified tourism organisations for their true commitment and genuine efforts to reduce and offset GHG emissions caused by their operations – mitigating the negative impacts of the travel and tourism sector that aggravate climate change.

The standard is designed to apply to any tourism organisation or activity seeking to evaluate, measure and improve its sustainability performance, regardless of its size or type of activity. This includes Accommodations, Tour Operators, Tourist centres or attractions and Multisite organisations and/or groups.

Standard documents

The following documents contain all the requirements applicable to travel activities certification:

• Standard for Sustainable Travel Activities:  The standard is now GSTC-Recognised standards, which means that the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has recognised them as equivalent to their GSTC Industry Criteria for sustainable travel.
• Terms and definitions: Definitions of technical terms used in the standard to clarify interpretation of requirements. They are normative when interpreting standard indicators.